Pune collector halts Inner Ring Road land survey in Maval after farmers protest

Pune: Measurement of land for the proposed Inner Ring Road in Maval has been halted for now. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi took the decision after strong opposition from farmers whose agricultural land is feared to fall within the road's path.

The decision came after a meeting at the collector's office. Farmers from seven villages, Nere, Sangavade, Darumbre, Salumbre, Dumbare, Dhamane and Parandwadi, attended. They demanded that the proposed route be changed so that it does not pass through fertile fields. The farmers cited the revised alignment of the Marunji-Gahunje road. They allege that the change was made to benefit builders. They now want a similar change in the ring road alignment, but this time in favour of farmers.

The project is being built by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). Dudi had called the meeting to hear the objections and concerns of the affected farmers. Those present included MLA Sunil Shelke, former state minister Bala Bhegade, land acquisition officer Dr Vanshree Labsetwar, sub-divisional officer Surendra Navale, Maval tahsildar Vikram Deshmukh and representatives of all seven villages.

Officials explained the benefits of the proposed road and assured the farmers that no injustice would be done to them. The land acquisition officer also spoke about the demands raised in village-level meetings and clarified misunderstandings about the project.

The farmers did not accept the clarification. They said plainly that they had not come to ask for compensation or financial benefit. Some farmers began to walk out of the meeting. Talks could resume only after Shelke intervened.

Several farmers then explained why they oppose the proposed alignment. They demanded a change of route and pointed to the earlier change on the Marunji-Gahunje road.

Rohan Jagtap pointed out discrepancies in the zoning information given by officials and explained how the proposed alignment would harm farmers. He also submitted the objections filed by farmers, resolutions passed by gram sabhas and details of an alternative route.

Representatives of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction also placed their objections at the meeting. They included Popat Rakshe, Ramnath Garade, Rambhau Sawant, Kantilal Sorte, Atul Garade and Pradip Sawant.

Given the seriousness of the protest, Dudi announced that measurement of land for the proposed Inner Ring Road would remain suspended for now.